Acoustic Sand Monitoring for Multiphase Flow Systems

Additional Acoustic Sand Monitor data is being collected for multiphase flows to determine the Threshold Sand Rate (TSR) and to develop models and computer programs to help interpret output from the acoustic signals. The experiments are currently performed for water-air flows in vertical and horizontal orientations using 2, 3 and 4-inch pipes I.D. recirculation multiphase flow loops. The present research focuses on the use of small sand particle sizes (25 μm and 75 μm) using two different acoustic sensors, ClampOn (DSP-06) and Roxar (SAM 400 TC Model). Due to the sand size effect, investigations related to each monitor's sensitivity is of great interest. Future work will include testing both acoustic monitors for liquid dominant and gas-dominant (mist flow) conditions.